Within the newest month-to-month report, Meridian Vitality stated within the month to March 9, nationwide hydro storage decreased from 117% to 110% of historic common.
The spilling of water within the Waitaki system had ceased at first of final month however the lakes had been nonetheless fairly full.
South Island hydro storage decreased to 102% of common.
Within the North Island, hydro storage elevated to 169%, as a significant climate occasion swamped a lot of the North Island.
Meridian Vitality chief govt Mike Roan stated though inflows eased throughout February there was nonetheless loads of water about.
‘‘That is the primary below-average month up to now six.
‘‘Storage ranges stay sturdy, leaving the system effectively positioned heading into autumn,’’ he stated.
Final 12 months, the primary three months of the 12 months had been the driest on report but it surely was virtually the alternative this 12 months.
A storm which hit many of the nation in the midst of February, termed the ‘‘Valentine’s Storm’’, was a deep low-pressure system that introduced widespread and intense rainfall.
Regardless of extended intervals of settled climate, rainfall was above common throughout giant components of the nation due to the storm.
In distinction, inland components of the South Island had been notably drier.
Final month was the best February since 2012.
This led to extra snow being round.
Meridian Vitality retains statistics on the snowpack that feeds into its system.
Usually melted by this time of 12 months, present snow storage in Meridian’s Waitaki catchment is at 95GWh (gigawatt hours) as of earlier this month.
That was the equal of about 4 days’ price of common inflows for this time of 12 months into Lake Tekapō, Pūkaki and Ōhau, or about 0.75m of storage to Pūkaki.
So far this monetary 12 months, complete inflows are 129% of common and Meridian Vitality’s Waitaki catchment water storage on the finish of February was 111% of common
Storage within the Waiau catchment was 82% of common on the finish of February
Nationwide electrical energy demand in February 2026 was 0.5% decrease than February 2025.
This was primarily attributable to a drop in demand from the agriculture business with a decrease demand for irrigation.
